Live Like It's True {Bible Podcast}

What does it look like to worship God with your whole life—even when most days feel ordinary?

Cheryl Marshall joins Live Like It’s True to discuss her book, All of Me, and what Mary, the mother of Jesus, teaches us about a life surrendered to God. Together, we explore how God’s mercy fuels surrender and how everyday faithfulness becomes an offering of worship.

Mary’s response, “Let it be to me according to your word,” was a courageous expression of trust. Her story invites us to consider how we, too, can say yes to God in the small things—and trust Him with what comes next.

Recommended Resources: 

Check out Cheryl's book, All of Me: Pursuing a Life Wholly Devoted to God, on Shannon's recommendation list HERE.

Cheryl Marshall

Cheryl Marshall is a pastor’s wife, mom, grandmother, author, and Bible teacher. She’s a graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and she currently serves as the director of women’s ministries at Founders Baptist Church in Spring, Texas. Cheryl’s a co-author of When Words Matter Most: Speaking Truth with Grace to Those You Love and the author of All of Me: Pursuing a Life Wholly Devoted to God. You can connect with Cheryl at cherylmarshall.com and hear her weekly on the Whole-Life Worship podcast. 

Connect with Cheryl:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Podcast

More from the Judgy Series on Live Like It's True. 

Get the Free Judgy Heart Check and check out Shannon's book, Kinda Judgy. 

Hand back the gavel. There's a better Judge. 

Get the FREE Judgy Heart Check and check out Shannon's new book Kinda Judgy. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

What might Elisabeth Elliot have in common with Anna of the Bible? More than you might think!

Megan Hill returns to Live Like It’s True to discuss her new children’s book about Elisabeth Elliot and how God uses hardship to shape a faithful life. Growing up, Elisabeth’s parents called life’s difficulties “GMT”—“Good Missionary Training.” Those hard things were opportunities to learn to trust God and prepare for whatever He had ahead.

Both Elisabeth and Anna experienced loss, disappointment, and long stretches of waiting, yet both trusted God when life didn't go as planned. Come be inspired to live like it's true that God is at work—even when you can’t see what He’s doing! 

Bible Passage: Luke 2  (Jesus Presented at the Temple)

Recommended Resources: Check out Megan's book, Elisabeth Elliot: The Woman Who Did Hard Things for God, on Shannon's recommendation list HERE.

Megan Hill

Megan Hill is an editor for The Gospel Coalition and the author of several books, including: Elisabeth Elliot: The Woman Who Did Hard Things for God, and Sighing on Sunday: 40 Meditations for When Church Hurts. Megan's writing has also appeared in The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Tabletalk, Focus on the Family, Desiring God, and Reformation 21.

A pastor's wife and pastor's daughter, she lives in Massachusetts with her husband and four children.Connect with Megan:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

More from the Judgy Series on Live Like It's True. 

Get the Free Judgy Heart Check and check out Shannon's book, Kinda Judgy. 

Hand back the gavel. There's a better Judge. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Do you think of your church as a comfortable gathering of people who are just like you and who enjoy the same things you do and have the same political views and preferences you have? "The world has those," says New York Times Bestselling author, Ellen Vaughn. "They're called clubs. The church is different!" 

Join me on the Live Like It's True Podcast for a conversation with Ellen Vaughn about what Jesus started in Acts 2. Learn how He's still building it today, and how you can be part. 

Listen on: Apple | Spotify | YouTube

Bible Passage: Acts 2, The Coming of the Holy Spirit

Recommended Resources: 

Check out Ellen's book, What Jesus Started, on Shannon's recommendation list HERE.

Ellen Vaughn

Ellen Vaughn is a New York Times bestselling author and speaker who has written or co-written twenty-four books. Former vice president of executive communications at Prison Fellowship, she collaborated with the late Chuck Colson on a number of his seminal works. She speaks at conferences, often travels to interview Christ-followers in hostile parts of the world, and serves on the board of directors for IGM, the global church developer. With degrees from Georgetown University and the University of Richmond, Ellen lives in the Chicago area and enjoys reading, hiking, drinking coffee with friends, and staring pensively at the ocean.

Connect with Ellen:

• • Website
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

More from the Judgy Series on Live Like It's True. 

Get the Free Judgy Heart Check and check out Shannon's book, Kinda Judgy. 

Hand back the gavel. There's a better Judge. 

Get the FREE Judgy Heart Check and check out Shannon's new book Kinda Judgy. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

What does it really mean to be a woman—and what does God’s design have to do with it?

In part 2 of our conversation on the Live Like it's True podcast, Jen Oshman and I explore what the Bible has to say about being a woman. As we dig into Genesis's description of God’s hands-on craftsmanship, you'll see why the distinction between male and female matters and how these foundational truths shape your identity and purpose in your community.

Part 1 of Jen's episode on the Live Like It's True Podcast, Why Humans Are More Valuable Than Puppies, HERE.

Check out Jen's book, Very Good, on Shannon's recommendation list HERE.

Check out Shannon's episode with Kelly Needham, How to Bear God's Image by Gender, HERE.

Jen Oshman

Jen has been in women's ministry for over two decades on three continents. She's the author of Enough About Me, Cultural Counterfeits, Welcome, and the Very Good Bible study, and the children's book It's Good to Be a Girl. She serves as Director of Women's Ministry at Redemption Parker in Colorado, which her family planted in 2017, and is pursuing her Masters of Theological Studies. Jen has spoken at The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference and events across the nation and around the world. She and her husband have four daughters.

Connect with Jen:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

More from the Judgy Series on Live Like It's True. 

Get the Free Judgy Heart Check and check out Shannon's book, Kinda Judgy. 

Hand back the gavel. There's a better Judge. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

What does it really mean to be made in the image of God—and why are people more valuable than, say... puppies?

In this episode, I’m joined by Jen Oshman to talk about her new Bible study on biblical womanhood. As we dig into Genesis and the beautiful truth that every human being is made in God’s image, we'll explore how this shapes our identity, our dignity, and the way we live out our faith.

Recommended Resources: 

Check out Jen's book, Very Good, on Shannon's recommendation list HERE.

Jen Oshman

Jen has been in women's ministry for over two decades on three continents. She's the author of Enough About Me, Cultural Counterfeits, Welcome, and the Very Good Bible study, and the children's book It's Good to Be a Girl. She serves as Director of Women's Ministry at Redemption Parker in Colorado, which her family planted in 2017, and is pursuing her Masters of Theological Studies. Jen has spoken at The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference and events across the nation and around the world. She and her husband have four daughters. 

Connect with Jen:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

More from the Judgy Series on Live Like It's True. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

When a child walks away, a mother’s heart doesn’t stop loving—it starts longing. 💔

This conversation with Erica Wiggenhorn reminded me that the “messy middle” isn’t wasted. God is still working, still waiting, still making a way back.If you’re carrying grief, shame, or righteous indignation, you’re not alone. 

The Father of Luke 15 shows us what love looks like when the story is still unfinished: watch, wait, pray, and keep holding the chair. Check out Erica's new book, Loving Your Wayward Child, in Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE.

Recommended Resources

Are you "Kinda Judgy?" Free Quiz & Heart-Check

Shannon's Books

Erica Wiggenhorn

A national speaker with Aspire Women’s Events, Erica also speaks at women’s retreats, large conferences or her own kitchen table. Erica longs to bring Scriptural Truth and see lives transformed. Erica also serves on the Proverbs 31 Ministries writing and teaching team. An award-winning author with Moody Publishers, she wants people to discover delight in God’s Word as they become equipped with tools to read it with confidence.  Her latest project, Loving Your Wayward Child: A Christian Guide to Stand in Faith and Build Connection When Their Choices Break Your Heart will be released through Lifeway Christian Resources. For free tools to help you study the Bible visit ericawiggenhorn.com. You can also find her almost every day on Instagram where she shares Phoenix life with her best friend Jonathan, and their four children– two of which are human and the others furry and adorable.

Connect with Erica

Website

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

NEW: Kinda Judgy

If you're tired of being judged—or even more tired of being so judgy, grab a copy of my new book with Moody Publishers: Kinda Judgy: Finding Mercy for Myself and Others in Six Stories of the Bible.

As we step into the stories of Noah, Rahab, Jonah and others, we'll not only get biblical clarity on judgment and mercy, we'll encounter the One who melts our judgy hearts with His lavish mercy.

Ready to lay down your gavel? Come find mercy for yourself and others in my new six week study with Moody Publishers.

More from the Judgy Series on Live Like It's True. 

Get the Free Judgy Heart Check and check out Shannon's book, Kinda Judgy. 

Hand back the gavel. There's a better Judge. 

Get the FREE Judgy Heart Check and check out Shannon's new book Kinda Judgy. 

Are you kinda judgy? Take the QUIZ. 

Check out Shannon's new book, Kinda Judgy. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

 Shame says your sin is too great, but the cross reveals Jesus as the even greater savior. Lindsay Schott joins me on the Live Like It's True podcast for the final episode of the Judgy series. Come and take in the truth about your sin, displayed on a cross—and the more astonishing mercy of your loving Savior. 

Luke 23, The Crucifixion

Lindsay's upcoming book Trained to Teach

Free: Judgy Heart Check

More from the Judgy Series

Lindsay Schott

Lindsay Schott is the co-founder of Teach Equip and the co-author of an upcoming book, Trained to Teach. She has a passion for women to know the scripture and to experience deep transformation in relationship with Jesus and others.

She and her husband live in the Dallas area with their four children. You can see Lindsay's watercolor work at lindsayschott.com and see her creative journey on Instagram @lindsayschottwatercolor.

More from the Judgy Series on Live Like It's True. 

Get the Free Judgy Heart Check and check out Shannon's book, Kinda Judgy. 

Hand back the gavel. There's a better Judge. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

What actually happened when Jesus died on a cross? Why was it so brutal? What was astonishing about his prayer? And what's the significance of him dying between two criminals?

Lindsay Schott is back for a two-part episode to close out our Judgy Series with a conversation about the cross and why it's both worse and better than you thought.

Luke 23, The Crucifixion

Lindsay's upcoming book Trained to Teach

Free: Judgy Heart Check

More from the Judgy Series

Lindsay Schott

Lindsay Schott is the co-founder of Teach Equip and the co-author of an upcoming book, Trained to Teach. She has a passion for women to know the scripture and to experience deep transformation in relationship with Jesus and others.

She and her husband live in the Dallas area with their four children. You can see Lindsay's watercolor work at lindsayschott.com and see her creative journey on Instagram @lindsayschottwatercolor.

More from the Judgy Series on Live Like It's True. 

Get the Free Judgy Heart Check and check out Shannon's book, Kinda Judgy. 

Hand back the gavel. There's a better Judge. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

When you're tempted to judge your adult kids for their choices or behaviors, how should you respond? Michelle Nietert coaches us on how to lead with curiosity, not judgment. Get input for how to lean in with curiosity over that issue you're noticing with your young adult or teen.

Ignoring truth or enabling harmful behavior isn't the answer. Instead, how can you make room for God to work over time?

Recommended Resources including Michelle's book Strong and Secure

Free: Judgy Heart Check

The Judgy Series 

Michelle Nietert

Michelle Nietert is an author, speaker, Christian counselor and coach. She is the director of Community Counseling Associates. She’s also a follower of Christ, a wife, and a mother to two school-aged children who puts her mental health knowledge to use every day as she seeks to nurture a happy and healthy household.

Website

Instagram

Facebook

More from the Judgy Series on Live Like It's True. 

Get the Free Judgy Heart Check and check out Shannon's book, Kinda Judgy. 

Hand back the gavel. There's a better Judge. 

Get the FREE Judgy Heart Check and check out Shannon's new book Kinda Judgy. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Leith Hoggard joins Shannon on the Live Like It's True podcast to talk about the difference between disgust for sin and a heart full of contempt—and how this relates to being "kinda judgy." Leith brings her wisdom as a Bible teacher, Bible study author, and one-on-one counselor and shares how we can identify the contempt in our own hearts and apply the mercy we've first received from Christ.

Free: Leith's Bible Studies

Leith would love to share her Bible studies at no charge. Receive her gift for you here.

Free: Judgy Heart Check

Get five sets of probing questions and Bible verses that help you think through those judgy situations you're facing from a truth-saturated, humble perspective. Get the download here.

More from the Judgy Series

You can browse the episodes from the series on this page.

Leith Hoggard

Leith Hoggard and her husband live in Jonesboro, Arkansas, while their two daughters and their families live in Nashville, Tennessee. God has given Leith the privilege of writing and teaching Bible studies for women. Together with her husband, Leith also serves in lay counseling ministry, focusing on marriage, while much of her personal ministry is spent encouraging and walking alongside women.

Connect with Leith:

Facebook

More from the Judgy Series on Live Like It's True. 

Get the Free Judgy Heart Check and check out Shannon's book, Kinda Judgy. 

Hand back the gavel. There's a better Judge. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.